The Lipscomb Lady Bisons found the first leg of their trip to North Carolina to be less than hospitable.

Thursday night at the Paul Porter Arena at Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, N.C., the Lady Bisons made a valiant rally in the second half, but could not overcome a cold shooting first half in a 59-47 loss.

The Lady Bisons never had the lead in the game, but they twice pulled within one point in the first half. At intermission Gardner-Webb held a 27-14 advantage.

Gardner-Webb's second half lead would hit 18 three times. With Gardner-Webb ahead 36-18 with 17:06 left to play the Lady Bisons went on a 16-4 run to trim the lead to six points at 40-34 with approximately seven minutes left to play.

Gardner-Webb answered with a 12-2 run to take a 52-36 lead with a little mover four minutes left in the game.

Sophomore guard Dana Carrigan was the only Lady Bisons player in double figures. She scored 10 points. For the game the Lady Bisons shot 32.7 percent from the field, including 15.8 percent from 3-point range.

Freshman guard Miriam McAlister led the Lady Bisons in rebounding with a game-high eight. It was the fourth time this season McAlister has been the top rebounder.